Bulloch Academy seniors Harrison Averitt, Jarret Humphries, Bailey Smith and Loy Waters have been selected to play for the South squad in the 2012 Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) All-Star football game.
    And the booming baritone voice that they will hear urging them on from the sidelines will be all too familiar for Gator head coach Ronnie Hodges has been named the head coach of the South All-Stars.
    “I was called a couple of weeks before the season ended,” said Hodges. “It’s my understanding that the athletic committee of the GISA Coaches Association. I’ve been to these games but never thought about coaching. It’s a great honor. After I was asked, I first had to check with my wife (Connie). She said that as long as it got me out of the house, I could go.”
    Hodges, who was an assistant coach in a GHSA All-Star game while he was at Statesboro High School in the 1970s, had the opportunity to choose his own staff. On the sidelines with him will be BA coaches Matt Meeks, Brandavious Mann, John Williams and Cody Mahler. Keith Wasson from Pinewood and Thomas Smith from Robert Toombs are also on the staff as well former BA coach Travis Absher.
    The event, slated for this Saturday noon in Mike Gavin Stadium at Mount de Sales’ Cavalier Fields, features student-athletes who represent teams from all three classifications of the GISA. The players were picked by position from all senior football players in the league.
    “Every school nominated players,” said Hodges. “We (the South coaches) were sent the nominees last week and we got together as a staff this past Sunday afternoon. We were able to pick 30 kids.”
    Averitt is listed as a defensive back/running back, Humphries as defensive end, Smith as a defensive back and Waters as an outside linebacker/quarterback.
    “It is a major honor for these kids,” said Hodges. “Even though some have been sick, they jumped at the chance. I look forward to seeing these seniors play one more time.”
    Averitt led Bulloch in rushing (1,184 yards) and scoring (84 points). Humphries led the Gator defense in tackles (77 individual and 48 assists).
    Smith was an all-purpose player on both offense and defense while Waters quarterbacked the squad to an 8-3 record.
    “It is a real honor to be able to assemble the best senior players in the GISA,” said Todd Whetsel, the executive secretary of the GISA Coaches Association. “Each player’s selection is an individual honor that culminates an outstanding career. I hope each player enjoys this final opportunity to compete against their high-school peers.”
    Other area student-athletes chosen as South All Stars were Ethan Kumpula and Heath Waters from Pinewood in Bellville and Shaun O’Neal and Josh Mimbs from Robert Toombs in Lyons.
    Buddy Sorrow, the head coach of the Edmund Burke Spartans in Waynesboro, is the head coach of the North All Stars.
    Area players on the North squad include Raydell Martin and Henry Brown from Bethesda in Savannah, Jamal Bryant from Memorial in Savannah and Seth Durden from David Emanuel in Stillmore.
All have to report to Macon today by 2 p.m. for the All-Star weekend.
    Both teams will practice this afternoon and evening at different locations. The squads practice twice more on Friday prior to Saturday’s finale.